I have a friend who used to tell me, "whatever else is going on, say to yourself, 'life is good, business is terrific, people are wonderful, I have good chi!'" The truth is, I have about as good a time as I allow myself to have-- and certainly a better time if I concentrate on the positive. So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, here is my appreciation list for fall 2008: 1. Sunflowers of any kind. Their big bright showy heads just make me smile. 2. Oriental lilies, 'cause they smell divine. 3. Waratah-- a true primitive from that middle band around the world including New Zealand & Fiji, it's big, and watermelon red, and I love the name. 4. Molucella, aka Bells of Ireland. Their spicy scent reminds me of spring. 5. Roses of almost any variety. The 2008 blue ribbon winner at the Society of American Florists show is "High and Magic," a yellow bi-color with bright red edge and 10-14 days of vase life will fill the bill for many happy occasions. 6. Gerbera Daisies, because they come in all kinds of fabulous bi-color varieties, and their petals are just saturated with color. 7. Narcissus-- as the days are getting shorter, this bulb smells great, and reminds me that light does come back to the north country eventually. 8. Cymbidium orchids. The chinese symbol for many children (an oxymoron, don't you think?), they come in all shades of green, white, yellow, purple, orange and others, and have such an exotic look with their magenta eyes and freckles. 9. Delistar spider mums-- they have a lacy look to them, and remind me of the spiders I saw in the jungles of Mexico-- all legs with a slim middle. 10. Anthurium. The obake (ghost) anthurium are my favorites, because the petal is a bi-color, and the shape is more exaggerated . To these I would add-- I appreciate being able to work in a place of beauty; and in this climate, I feel fortunate to be self-employed and in control of my own livelihood. We have a good crew here, so I work with congenial people, get to laugh every day, and make beautiful things for our customers-- many of whom have become friends. Life is short-- the friend I started this post with, died at age 53 of ovarian cancer. So I try every day, to count my blessings, and do what good I can.